Ore concentrating device



Jan. 30, 1962 R N. WHITE 8 9 ORE CONCENTRATING DEVICE Filed April 18, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fllllllll INVENTOR. F l G. 4. RICHARD N. WHITE ATTORNEY.

Jan. 30, 1962 R. N. WHITE 3,018,892

ORE CONCENTRA'IING DEVICE Filed April 18, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 63 s4 as I INVENTOR.

RICHARD N. WHITE F l G. 3.

ATTORNEY.

ited States Patent 3,018,892 ORE CONCENTRATING DEVICE Richard N. White, 5317 Harcourt Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Apr. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 23,023 11 Claims. (Cl. 209-441) This invention pertains to a device for separating a desired product from the ore in which it is found.

In placer mining it has long been the practice to provide a riffle type arrangement in which the sand, gravel or earth bearing gold or other precious metal is fed into one end of an inclined rifde box. A series of transverse baffles, known as rifiles, are spaced along the length of the riflle box. Upon agitating the box, the precious metal is intended to be collected at the base of the rifiles, while the lighter gravel passes over the tops of the riflles and is removed. These devices, however, have proved to be relatively inefficient in separating out the gold or other metal. Also, their capacity is not great. In addition, they are not universal in nature, i.e., they cannot be utilized as both wet and dry washers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rifile type ore concentrating device which has a high degree of efficiency in separating the desired product from the media in which it is found.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ore concentrating device usable as either a wet or dry separator.

A further object of this invention is to provide a riflle arrangement providing a feed from the hopper to the riflle box only during the time that the rifile box is being agitated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a separating device of increased capacity.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a separating arrangement having a rifl'le box tapered toward the center of the pan and of the rifiles, this box being provided with side openings to remove the tailings, and central openings for receiving the separated product.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of the device of this invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view takenalong line 2--2 of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the riflle box in elevation,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the rifile box taken along line 4-4- of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, of the riffle box removed from the remainder of the machine.

The device of this invention includes a frame 1 made up of suitable columns and beams providing an opensided structure that at the top portion carries a hopper 2. The latter element may be made vertically removable from the framework. The top of the frame also carries pairs of straps 3 and 4 which depend downwardly and at their bottom ends support a rifile box assembly 5. These straps, which may be made of sheet metal, thin strips of wood, or the like, do not engage the other portions of the machine of this invention but are free to move in a horizontal direction.

The riifie box assembly includes a pair of side sheet members 6 and 7, the bottom edges of which are interconnected by transverse member 8. A bracket 9 is secured to member 6 and extends downwardly therefrom. Pivotally connected to bracket 9 by means of mechanism for the device. The other end of transverse 3,0l3,892 Patented Jan. 30, 1962 "ice pulley 18. It is obvious that rotation need not be manual, but can be provided by any suitable prime mover. The source of power can be applied directly to shaft 14, eliminating the belt drive. I

As a result of this construction, when pulley 18 is turned shaft 14 rotates eccentric 13 which causes transverse reciprocation of arm 11. This movement of drive arm 11, reacting through bracket 9, causes the riffle box 5 to reciprocate transversely about its support from straps 3 and 4 at the top of the frame. Thus, as the pulley 18 is turned, the rifiie box is agitated through a short reciprocative stroke.

Mounted between'side plates 6 and 7 of the rifiie box assembly 5 is a receptacle unit 21. This includes a bottom pan 22 and parallel sides 23 and 24, as well as end walls 25 and 26. The longitudinal axis of the receptacle unit is inclined, as best seen in FIG. 2, and preferably is made adjustable in its angle of slope. The upper end of the unit, adjacent end wall 25, is conneeted to side walls 6 and 7 through pivot pins 28 and 29. Series of spaced openings 30 are provided through walls 6 and 7 for receiving bolts 31 and 32 which extend through the sides 23 and 24 of the receptacle assembly. By appropriate selection of the particular openings 30 engaged by the bolts 31 and 32, it is apparent that the inclination of pan 22 may be controlled.

As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pan 22 is substantially V-shaped in cross section, tapering toward its longitudinal axis. Extending transversely across the receptacle unit between the side walls 23 and 24, and projecting upwardly from pan 22, are three riffles 33, 34 and 35. These members may be identical in form and are spaced apart as indicated, dividing the receptacle unit into separate chambers A, B and C. These riffies are V-shaped in plan, converging toward the center of the rifile box assembly and pointing downwardly along the pan.

On the upper sides of the rifiles, and immediately adjacent thereto, are pairs of openings 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 which are adjacent also the side walls 23 and 24. These openings, therefore, are located at the outer edges of the rifiles where the rifiles join the side walls. They provide communication with conduits 42 and 43 which extend underneath the pan the length of the unit.

Also immediately adjacent the riffies on the upper sides thereof are central openings 46, 47 and 48. These apertures, therefore, are positioned at the apex of pan 22 and at the apex of each of the V-shaped riflles. This provides an axial outlet at the low point of each of the chambers A, B and C. The central openings communicate with a central conduit 50, extending underneath the pan to its lower outlet end 51.

Provision is made to close the apertures 46, 47 and 48, this being accomplished by means of an elongated sheet metal slide 52 held by guides 53 and 54 to the bottom pan surface. Apertures 55, 56 and 57 extend through slide 52. Therefore, with the slide 52 in the position indicated in FIG. 2, the openings 55, 56 and 57 are remote from the apertures 46, 47 and 48 in the pan. This closes the latter apertures so that there is no communication from the pan to conduit 50. However, by grasping handle portion 58 and moving slide 52 upwardly, the openings in the slide may be caused to register with the openings through the pan, permitting material from the central portion of the pan immediately above each of the rifiles to drop into conduit 50.

The bottom portion of hopper 2, as may be seen in FIG. 2, includes funnel sections 60, 61 and 62 leading to outlets 63, 64 and 65. These outlets communicate in turn with tubular members 66, 67 and 68 which extend downwardly to inclined outlet portions 69, 70 and 71 that lead to the chambers A, B and C of the rifile box. The exit openings of tubular sections 69, 70 and 71 are closely spaced from the upper surface of the pan. These outlets from the feed tubes 66, 67 and 68 also are positioned so as to be at the upper ends of the chambers A, B and C, spaced well above the riffles at the lower ends of these chambers.

In order that the feed tubes may bear the proper relationship to the rifile pan, and that the exits will be closely spaced from the upper surface of the pan in all instances, it is preferred to make these feed tubes removable. This permits the insertion of feed tubes of the proper length no matter what inclination is given to pan 22. Therefore, the tubes 66, 67 and 68 are mounted in a slidable plate 73, which is held by guides 74 and 75 and positioned against stop 76 when fully inserted. A handle 77 is included to facilitate movement of member 73. Therefore, if the inclination of the receptacle unit should be altered from that shown in FIG. 2, member 73 will be slid outwardly and replaced with a similar unit having tubular members of different lengths to again locate the exits therefrom closely adjacent the upper surface of the pan.

In using the device of this invention, the slide 52 is positioned to close the apertures 46, 47 and 48 through the center of the pan. The ore, which typically may be gold-bearing gravel, is introduced into hopper 2 in any quantity desired. This gravel willtend to run down into tubes 66, 67 and 68. However, due to the positioning of the outlets of these tubes close to the upper surface of pan 22, the gravel will not immediately flow from these tubes. Next, the rifile box assembly is agitated by rotating pulley 18. This reciprocative movement allows the gravel to slowly feed from the tubes 66, 67 and 68 onto the pan above each of the riffies. In this manner, a proper feed of the ore is attained which takes place only when the riffle box is agitated.

As the ore is moved back and forth in the pan by the movement of the rifile box, the tailings, being the lighter constituent; move outwardly toward the sides 23, and 24 of the receptacle unit. At the same time, the heavier gold particles, having greater inertia, tend to remain stationary at the axis of the riffie box as the agitation takes place. The convergent form of the pan surface facilitates the movement of the heavier particles downwardly to the central axis. However, the pan has a relatively shallow angle which does not interfere with the outward movement of the tailings. Therefore, by being V-shaped in contour and recessed at the center, the rifile pan greatly improves the separation of the gold from the ore.

The configuration given the riflles likewise assists in this action. The heavier gold particles will tend to collect at the central lower portions of the V-shaped rifiles, while the lighter tailings move outwardly along the riffles to their outer edges.

As the agitation of the riffle box takes place, the tailings that are forced to the sides enter openings 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41, and are carried away through conduits 42 and 43. This is contrary to the usual construction in which no side openings are provided and the tailings are intended to move over the tops of the rifiles. Thus, according to the provisions of this invention, there is both an automatic feed of ore into the rifile box, and an automatic disposal of the tailings through the side outlets. While this takes place, the gold or other substance being refined is collected at the central portion of the pan, and virtually all of the heavier metal particles will be separated out in this manner.

After a quantity of the heavier substance has been collected at the central portion of the pan back of each riifle, slider 52 is moved upwardly from the position FIG. 2 to bring its openings into registry with openings 46, 47 and 48 through the pan. In this manner, the gold, or other separated material, drops into and is removed through conduit 50, being collected in a suitable container located at the lower end 51 thereof. Thus, the design of this invention facilitates the removal of the metal from the riffle box.

It should be observed, in addition, that the provision of three inlets to the riffle box greatly increases the capacity of the unit. No longer is it necessary to have but a single inlet and to cause the ore to pass over a series of riilles running down the length of the riflle box. In the example illustrated, the capacity of the device is tripled over that of the usual unit. It is obvious that there may be provided additional riffies and more feed tubes as desired.

It is, of course, apparent that the inclinations given to the pan may be selected as desired, depending upon the particular ore involved. The device of this invention, therefore, allows the use of the best angle of the rifile pan for any ore that may be encountered.

The device of this invention is usable equally well either as a dry or a wet separator, which is unlike conventional designs that must be employed as one or the other, but are not devised for universal applicability.

For the wet separation, the device includes a tank 80 of rectangular construction removably held to the side of the frame by support 81 and bracket 82. At the bottom portion of tank 80, valves 83, 84 and 85 are provided to which are connected short hoses 86, 87 and 88. Therefore, by controlling the valves, water may be caused to run into the pan above each of the rifiles. The valves may be adjusted to cause any desired rate of flow. This permits close control of the moisture of the ore being refined, and allows the unit to operate under optimum conditions for maximum efiiciency of separation.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an improvedore separating device having the advantages of increased efficiency, automatic feed, and operation as either a wet or dry separator. This is made possible by the particular design of the riflle pan and the riffles, in conjunction with the central openings for removing the heavier substance, while the lighter tailings are caused to exit through side apertures.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An ore concentrating device comprising a receptacle having a bottom surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, side walls projecting upwardly from either side of said bottom surface, and a plurality of partitions projecting upwardly from said bottom surface and extending transversely across said receptacle in spaced relationship with each other, said bottom surface being inclined downwardly toward the longitudinal central portion thereof, said partitions being inclined toward the central portions thereof and arranged to point downwardly, said bottom surface having a closable aperture in said central portion thereof adjacent and above each of said partitions, said bottom surface further having a side outlet above each of said partitions adjacent the intersection of the side wall thereof and the partitions, said bottom surface being continuous other than at said apertures and conduit means for receiving material from said side apertures and from said central apertures.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which for closing said closable apertures there is provided a slidable member beneath said bottom surface of said pan, said slidable member having a plurality of apertures therethrough spaced to register with said central apertures through said bottom surface when said slideris in one position, said 5 slider being movable to a position of nonregistry with said apertures in said bottom surface.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 including, in addition, means for introducing material into said receptacle on said bottom surface above each of said partitions.

4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said means for introducing material into said receptacle includes a plurality of conduits, each of said conduits having an outlet adjacent and closely spaced from said bottom surface of said pan at the longitudinal center of said pan.

5. A device as recited in claim 1 including, in addition, means for introducing a fluid into said receptacle above each of said partitions.

6. An ore separating device comprising a support frame, a receptacle carried by said frame, means for transversely reciprocating said receptacle, said receptacle having side walls and further having a continuous bottom pan convergent toward the longitudinal axis thereof, said axis being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, a plurality of spaced partitions projecting upwardly from said pan and extending transversely of said receptacle interconnecting said side walls so as to divide said receptacle into a plurality of chambers, each of said partitions being inclined downwardly from said side walls toward the longitudinal axis of said pan, said pan being provided with an aperture therethrough on the upper side of each of said partitions adjacent the intersection of the baffles and the side walls, and an additional aperture therethrough spaced from said first mentioned apertures and adjacent the upper side of each of said partitions at the longitudinal axis of said pan, conduit means beneath said pan for receiving material from said first mentioned apertures, conduit means for receiving material from said second mentioned apertures, and means for selectively closing said second mentioned apertures.

7. A device as recited in claim 6 including in addition a hopper, and conduit means interconnecting said hopper and each of said chambers for conducting material from said hopper to said chambers.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said conduit means from said hopper comprises a plurality of tubular members, each of said tubular members having an outlet opening closely spaced from said pan so as to transmit material only upon said transverse reciprocation of said pan.

9. A device as recited in claim 8 including in addition means for varying said inclination of said axis, and in which said tubular members are removable for permitting the use of tubular members of different lengths as determined by said inclination.

10. An ore separating device comprising a receptacle member having an inclined bottom surface and spaced sidewalls, said bottom surface being inclined inwardly towards the longitudinal axis thereof, and at least one partition extending transversely across said receptacle member from one side to the other and projecting upwardly from said bottom surface, said partition being inclined to- Ward said longitudinal axis of said receptacle, said bottom surface including an outlet adjacent each of said sidewalls, said outlets being adjacent and on the upper sides of the ends of said partition, said bottom surface further including a closable outlet spaced from said first mentioned outlets and positioned at said longitudinal axis adjacent and on the upper side of the central portion of said partition.

11. A device as recited in claim 10 in which said bottom surface is substantially V-shaped in transverse section, and in which said partition is substantially V-shaped in top plan.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 40,756 Josse Dec. 1, 1863 568,888 Wild Oct. 6, 1896 744,021 Bartlett Nov. 17, 1903 1,677,247 Neuhaus July 17, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,423 Great Britain of 1891 712,148 Great Britain July 21, 1954 

